'Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the toughest bowlers I've ever faced' - AB de Villiers

Ravichandran Ashwin completed his 500 Test wickets during the third Test of the five-match series between India and England which was played at the Niranjan Shah Cricket Stadium in Rajkot. India won the third Test by a record 434-run margin and it was a memorable Test for Ravichandran Ashwin who may not have been the best performer with the ball in this series but he completed the milestone by taking 500 wickets in Test cricket. He has taken 501 Test wickets in his career.

Ravichandran Ashwin became the second Indian bowler and the ninth bowler overall to take 500 Test wickets. He has played less than 100 Tests and has completed 500 Test wickets which is quite an achievement and the former South African skipper feels that the veteran off-spinner has been a stalwart but never received the credits he deserved throughout his career. Ravichandran Ashwin has been one of the greatest red-ball bowlers with wickets in every condition.

AB de Villiers also hailed Ravichandran Ashwin as one of the toughest bowlers he has faced in his career which is a huge praise coming from one of the greatest cricketers. Zak Crawley became the 500th victim of Ravichandran Ashwin and he has been dismissed three times out of six in the ongoing series against Ashwin. Only Anil Kumble has more wickets than Ashwin in Test cricket playing for India. Anil Kumble has 619 wickets in his Test career and he has played 132 Tests in his career.

On his YouTube channel, AB de Villiers talked about Ravichandran Ashwin congratulating him for taking 500 wickets in Tests, and talked about the role he has played for the Indian team. AB De Villiers said, “Ashwin has been a stalwart but not always getting enough credit for what he is & the role he Plays in the Indian Team. He is one of the toughest bowlers I have ever played against”.

AB de Villiers says Ravichandran Ashwin is the toughest bowler he has faced

AB De Villiers said “Ashwin has been a stalwart but not always getting enough Credit for what he is & the role he Plays in the Indian Team. He is one of the toughest bowlers I have ever played against”. [AB YT] pic.twitter.com/Nc85XjYh2f

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 22, 2024

Ravichandran Ashwin will be playing in the fourth Test between India and England which will be played at the Jharkhand State Cricket Association Stadium in Ranchi. India is already leading the series 2-1 after they won the Rajkot Test. England won the first Test in Hyderabad by 28 runs and then India won two consecutive Tests in Vizag by 106 runs and in Rajkot by 434 runs.

India has not lost a Test series at home for more than a decade now as the last defeat came against England in 2012 when Sir Alastair Cook led the visitors to a 2-1 win in the four-match series. Since then, India has won 16 consecutive Test series at home and is looking to make it 17 after winning the fourth Test in Ranchi. The win will seal the series for India whereas England is in a do-or-die situation and needs to win the game to stay alive in the series.